Taggert, Wildcats walk-off against Warriors
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
MOWRYSTOWN — After losing an eight-run lead, the Whiteoak Wildcats gained runs in the final inning to defend their home field for a 12-9 win over the Eastern Brown Warriors, Monday at WHS.
WHS took an 8-1 lead after two innings, but the Warriors chipped away with a three-run third, two-run fourth and one-run fifth, cutting the WHS lead to 8-7.
The game was tied at the top of the sixth with a one-run inning by the Warriors, but the Wildcats answered with a run of their own for a 9-8 lead. EB tied the game for a second time with one run in the seventh.
Then the game had its highest moment.
In the seventh, Wes Stratton doubled and David Deer followed with a bunt single, giving the Wildcats two base runners. Stratton
stayed on second on the bunt single and line drive out as WHS head coach Chris Veidt described the decision by Stratton to stay at second as a "great decision."
With two outs and two runners still on the bases, Luke Taggert was the hero of the game, blasting the fourth pitch he saw in the at-bat over the left-field fence for the walk-off win.
That wasn't the only big hit by Taggert, as he hit a bases-loaded triple in the second inning for three RBIs. Taggert finished 2-for-5 with six RBIs and two runs.
"This was great pre-tournament competition and a game that provided many clutch situations defensively and offensively," Veidt said. "Eastern did a nice job of chipping away and tying it in the sixth."
The winning pitcher for WHS was also Taggert, who pitched the seventh inning for the Wildcats. He allowed one hit and allowed one run, with two strikeouts. He moved his overall record to 3-2.
Andrew Herzog pitched one inning of relief, allowing one run (none earned) on three hits.
Michael Carraher was the starting pitcher for WHS. He had three strikeouts, allowing five earned runs on four hits and seven walks.
"Andrew did an excellent job in relief for us in the sixth," Veidt said.
At the plate, WHS tallied 11 hits, as Taggert, Gage Carraher and Jesse Bradds had two hits. Carraher was 2-for-3 with three runs and one RBI, including a double. Bradds finished 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Michael Smith and Wes Stratton each had a double, and Michael Carraher, Tyler Williams and David Deer each had one hit.
"David Deer had an outstanding defensive game in right field," Veidt said.
The win lifts WHS to 12-10 overall and will take on West Union Wednesday, May 11 at WHS at 5 p.m.
WHS will start tournament play on Thursday, May 12 against Manchester at 5 p.m.
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WHS took an 8-1 lead after two innings, but the Warriors chipped away with a three-run third, two-run fourth and one-run fifth, cutting the WHS lead to 8-7.
The game was tied at the top of the sixth with a one-run inning by the Warriors, but the Wildcats answered with a run of their own for a 9-8 lead. EB tied the game for a second time with one run in the seventh.
Then the game had its highest moment.
In the seventh, Wes Stratton doubled and David Deer followed with a bunt single, giving the Wildcats two base runners. Stratton
stayed on second on the bunt single and line drive out as WHS head coach Chris Veidt described the decision by Stratton to stay at second as a "great decision."
With two outs and two runners still on the bases, Luke Taggert was the hero of the game, blasting the fourth pitch he saw in the at-bat over the left-field fence for the walk-off win.
That wasn't the only big hit by Taggert, as he hit a bases-loaded triple in the second inning for three RBIs. Taggert finished 2-for-5 with six RBIs and two runs.
"This was great pre-tournament competition and a game that provided many clutch situations defensively and offensively," Veidt said. "Eastern did a nice job of chipping away and tying it in the sixth."
The winning pitcher for WHS was also Taggert, who pitched the seventh inning for the Wildcats. He allowed one hit and allowed one run, with two strikeouts. He moved his overall record to 3-2.
Andrew Herzog pitched one inning of relief, allowing one run (none earned) on three hits.
Michael Carraher was the starting pitcher for WHS. He had three strikeouts, allowing five earned runs on four hits and seven walks.
"Andrew did an excellent job in relief for us in the sixth," Veidt said.
At the plate, WHS tallied 11 hits, as Taggert, Gage Carraher and Jesse Bradds had two hits. Carraher was 2-for-3 with three runs and one RBI, including a double. Bradds finished 2-for-3 with one run and one RBI.
Michael Smith and Wes Stratton each had a double, and Michael Carraher, Tyler Williams and David Deer each had one hit.
"David Deer had an outstanding defensive game in right field," Veidt said.
The win lifts WHS to 12-10 overall and will take on West Union Wednesday, May 11 at WHS at 5 p.m.
WHS will start tournament play on Thursday, May 12 against Manchester at 5 p.m.
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